Senior YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leader Perni Nani has indicated he will not defect from the party, even in the face of increasing legal issues. His defiant stance follows after the police approached the High Court seeking to withdraw the anticipatory bail his wife was given. The authorities accuse her of being involved in the rice scam, alleging that there is enough evidence that rice was smuggled out of warehouses illegally. It is reported that she even confessed to the crime and returned the misused funds.
Perni Nani responded to the situation by firmly declaring that he will not quit YSRCP. Though nobody officially asked him to resign, he regards the legal notices being issued to his family as a kind of coercion to make him leave the party. Nevertheless, in today’s political scenario, his choices look minimal with no other party willing to accept him.
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is unlikely to offer him a place, as his entry could create internal conflicts, potentially more intense than the Jogi Ramesh controversy. Given his past remarks and political stance against TDP, acceptance within the party remains a distant possibility. Likewise, joining the Jana Sena Party is virtually impossible, considering his vocal criticism of Pawan Kalyan. His past statements against the actor-turned-politician have alienated Jana Sena supporters, making his entry unwelcome. With both TDP and Jana Sena ruled out, even the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is unlikely to extend an invitation.
With no viable political alternatives, Perni Nani finds himself in a situation where remaining in YSRCP is his only realistic option. He has previously admitted to staying out of public view to shield his wife from legal troubles. But if the High Court revokes her bail, he would be left without a way out this time. Not being able to prevent her jailing could not only cause personal agony but also create a major setback for his political career. Even Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy would struggle to interfere.
Perni Nani’s predicament serves as a cautionary tale of how political missteps and controversies can lead to challenging and, at times, unavoidable consequences. With his back against the wall, his future in YSRCP—and politics in general—remains uncertain.